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Posted by William
a resident of Danville
on May 18, 2012 at 6:22 am

This sad comment on parental denial of a young man living at home, probably with no job and having money with no known source of income. It's also a sad story about the rising use of prescription drugs such as oxycontin and others right here in our TriValley community. The use of such substances is rampant here in the "bubble" and folks just don't seem to believe it is so.

Most parents are definitely in denial and want to be their children's friends and equals so they let their teenage and older kids do what they want. Drugs, ok, booze, ok, indiscriminate sex, ok. Society is left with the human detritus and problems. Our hospitals and mental health clinics are full of kids with depression and mental problems. I live in a nice area of Danville and several neighbors allow and encourage their high school kids girlfriends and boyfriends to "sleepover." They are condoning behavior that is counterproductive to academic achievement and well functioning futures. They want their kids to be "liked and accepted." Many parents live vicariously through their kids instead of being good role models and moral arbiters. They allow children to play act like adults without the maturity or judgment. We all see the potential outcome like this young man who became a criminal.

Its sad to think that Louise, you seem to think the parent is at fault. He is 23 years old he makes his own decisions. Weather or not the parent is in denial does not mean the condone or want their child to be "cool" by doing drugs. I know this family personally and that is not the case what so ever. I don't know why people like yourselves find any reason to comment at all. We are just hoping he will get the help he need to be clean and go down a better path.

In response to the person who knows the family, the reason I comment is because this is a public forum where people can comment whether you agree with them or not. As far as the parents not condoning the behavior, it seems like this person was stealing and bringing home his stolen treasures right under the noses of his parents. So why didn't the parents get this person the help he needed earlier? Why wait until it escalated to an arrest? Yes, it is sad, I agree, but it could have been avoided.

These parents HAVE tried to get him help in the past (more than once). Substance abuse programs, etc... So, for those of you living in "the bubble", addiction is an insidious disease with many underlying issues that can contribute to the inability to control ... and yes ... there are people in our midst who are not perfect.

Many of our youth are exposed to so much more than we had...Many of these kids feel hopeless and are search of significance..They get a temporary sense of power when they escape into drugs etc. or unfortunatly can escalate into what we are seeing in our inner citys. We can let them live out their lives and let them go.. If that is the road they choose...We has parents can live as an example and if they still continue down the wrong path...We have a choice to let them go...which will divide us with them..Bottom line...they have to hit their own bottom...then they also have to want help...there is help there with many 12 step groups that will help them if they want it..

Louise, they did try to get him help way before his arrest for alleged burglary, but there is not much you can do to a 23 year old adult without a court order. You are correct this is a public forum however, coming to conclusions without knowing the back story makes you seem eager to judge. Yes we all hope Chase turns his life around but an adults alleged actions can not reflect on his loving parents and family.

Posted by Linda
a resident of Walnut Creek
on May 24, 2012 at 11:29 am

I feel very sorry for the parents of this young man. How ironic is it he is busted around the same time info on Obama's bragging drug use of marijuana and "blow" in college is finally coming out from his autobiography.

My son was friends with Chase back in elementary school. I remember his family as good people. I hate to see people putting their 2 cents in when they don't have all the facts. I don't have all the facts, either. But I do know that having had 2 sons grow up in this area, you just never know what will change their path. Instead of looking to place blame, we should just try to help them deal with a lousy situation. By the way, Obama was not President 30 years ago and I remember hearing about young people doing the same things...

Posted by Just wondering
a resident of Danville
on Jun 2, 2012 at 8:50 am

I keep hearing that all three left in a car. I was in the area. There was an undercover policeman that told us to look out for two black men in black hoodies that they were looking for in area. I believe three tried to cross the street. One collapsed. One drove off in a car. Two made it across the street and those are the two missing. They even looked in the dumpsters. Can anyone else confirm this?